Tales from the Morgue

1962: Liberace Delights EP Audience

January 30, 1962

Liberace played Chopsticks and Chopin Monday night, and every classification of music in between, delighting a large audience in Liberty hall.

Not only did the soloist exhibit the ultimate in musicianship, but proved that he is a great showman as well.

Liberace’s celebrated candelabra – glowing in its gold elegance on the darkened stage – was placed in its accustomed place on the concert grand, and the performer’s costumes were just short of indescribable.

When Liberace first appeared, he was wearing a gleaming golden-hued dinner jacket, and commented to the audience, “I didn’t get dressed like this not to be noticed.”

After intermission, Liberace appeared in tails, and he explained that each button on the coat contained a letter of his name, with last “C” and “E” appearing on the coattails.

The program included classics, such as the theme and finale from Tschaikowsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, and a medley of Chopin piano compositions including the Minute Waltz and the popular Polenaise.

One of the program’s highlights was a specially-arranged group of George Gershwin selections. He began and ended the medley with Rhapsody in Blue and the theme from that composition was intertwined with other Gershwin favorites, such as “I Got Rhythm,” “Summertime.” “Embraceable You” and others.

Liberace also played a number of Latin tunes, some jazz and boogie woogie, many old favorites, and ended the program with audience requests. He sang “No New Tunes on this Old Piano,” and during the same routine danced a soft-shoe to “Me and My Shadow.”

The soloist easy, soft-spoken manner and his sly jokes made a hit with the audience, as did his piano playing. On several occasions, applause began during his playing.

1965: Two arrested in torture of San Jacinto alligators

September 24, 1965

An eye-witness to the slaying and torturing of two alligators in the San Jacinto Plaza pool early Monday morning gave police voluntary information Thursday that resulted in the arrest of the two culprits, police reported.

The witness, told police that early Sunday morning he met the two men, 24 and 25 respectively in the Plaza park while waiting for a bus to take him home.

The witness told police in a signed statement he saw the men remove stones from the circular fence around the pool and saw them drop the heavy stones on the heads of the two alligators – Chama and Zal.

The statement said the witness also saw the men strike the alligators on the head with the stones. He also said the men were carrying flashlight batteries attached to cherry bombs and sway the throw them in the pool.

“I saw the small alligator roll over on his side and it looked like he was dead.” The statement said.

The witness viewed the two suspects in a police lineup Thursday night and immediately identified the pair as the ones seen throwing the large rocks at the alligators.

The two men were booked in jail pending filing of charges.

Detective Lt. Andy Wilson said the witness gave the names of three other persons who wit- The witnesses will be asked to view the two suspects in a police lineup Friday.

The battered alligators Zal and Humpy, Thursday night seemed to be recovering from the blows they received, a Washington Park Zoo attendant reported.

“My interest was in the smaller one – Zal – which had a spike in his eye,” the attendant who checked the ‘gators Thursday for Zoo superintendent Gerry Tordt, who is out of town, said.

Of the smaller alligator, which had a spike driven into it eye Wednesday, the attendant said, “He was under water, but there was movement and he appeared not badly hurt – I could see the injury.

“The larger one, Humpy, which was stoned kept his eyes closed as if he had been hit with a rock or something, but seemed all right,” the attendant added.

FINED

Earlier Thursday, Douglas J. Zahrenhusen, 34, of Sioux Falls, S.D., was fined $20 in Corporation Court for jumping in the alligator pool and throwing Zal, the baby alligator, into the water by its tail.

Detectives C. Pierce and J.B. Alvarez arrested the man about midnight Wednesday when the officers saw him jump inside the pool. The officer said they saw Zahrenhusen grab the alligator by the tail and whirl him around a couple of times and then throw the animal into the water.

Thomas Hall, businessman and business agent for Bar Owners Association of El Paso County, offered a $10 reward for anyone offering information that will lead in the conviction of the persons injuring the alligators.

“They wouldn’t do that in the Congo,” he said referring to the incidents.

Hall said that several months ago he asked Alderman Sal Berroteran to get policemen at Washington Park, Memorial Park and San Jacinto Plaza.

Mrs. Luis Salazar, 1705 Wyoming Ave., offered a $5 reward for the apprehension and conviction of the alligator killers.

1945: Salvage Board Issues Appeal For Tin Cans

August 7, 1945

Praising El Pasoans for their excellent work in the various salvage drives, Ben S. Harrison, salvage representative of the WPB, Houston State Office, announced Monday that this was the most critically needed time in the war effort today.

“Our only source of tin is from cans,” he said. “Nationally we are far behind in our tin supply and we must concentrate on turning in more tin.”

Cans should be washed out, labels removed and then cans should be flattened. They can be taken to the nearest fire station where they will be picked u p.

Further information can be obtained by calling the War Salvage Board, main 1701.

1934: Tobacco Chewers Strut Stuff At Carlsbad

August 9, 1934

Baker ‘Shoots’ 15 feet, 7 Inches, to Win Cuspidor

CARLSBAD, N.M., Aug 8 – Moisture was brought to drought-stricken New Mexico when 24 of the southwest’s leading tobacco chewers competed in the first annual all-southwestern tobacco chewing and spitting tournament here.

Clyde Carr, Carlsbad baker, found his real niche in life when he won first place in the tournament and the beautiful brass two-gallon capacity cuspidor offered as the grand prix, as they say out here in the open spaces, by The Daily Current-Argus, Carlsbad newspaper.

What a Man!

Carr won easily, handily and gracefully in neatness, volume, accuracy and distance. His shot in the distance event carried 15 feet, 7 inches to set a new county record. It scattered spectators who had gathered behind the target to see what all the shooting was about.

The tournament was hailed by press and public as the greatest single move for the cultural development of the city since Lake McMillan, irrigation reservoir near here, was drained and 200 tons of fish were left to evaporate in the hot New Mexico sun.

Factory men of leading chewing tobacco brands were on the field to demonstrate their wares. Sample shots were made at plate glass windows, plush carpets and people riding behind the chewers in railway cars and automobiles

Carr refused movie contracts, advertising endorsements and a chance to be chief of police immediately after the contest. “I am very tired,” he said. “I am glad to have metten all youse guys socially. Ay tank ay go home.”

Carr was wrong in his last statement. Over protestations that he “done it for the wife and kiddies,” Mrs. Carr refused to let him and his trophy in the house.

A Trusting Soul

Frank Kindel, another Carlsbad entry, was the first to congratulate Carr. “I think you won on a foul,” he said. Other competitors and members of the audience were equally loud in their praise of the new champion.

“It is with a full measure of pride that we point to the success of the first annual all-southwestern tobacco chewing and spitting tournament,” said E. A. Roberts, president of the chamber of commerce as he ducked out of the line of fire in the arena.

“Carlsbad has long been known as the home of Carlsbad Caverns and the potash capital of the United States, but we can now claim equal fame as the tobacco chewing center of the great southwest.”

He made gestures while he delivered his statement.

A special quartet sang, “It’s Not a Flower From an Old Bouquet” during the finals, pronouncing “bouquet” as the “et” in ‘No thank you. I have done et.”

1921: Amnesia Victim, Slugged By Thug, Found By Father

March 25, 1921

After making the long trip to El Paso from Lake Benton, Minn., his home, A.E. Tasker, newspaper proprietor, was happy yesterday when, through the efforts of the city detective department, he located his missing son, Herbert.

The young man says that he was slugged several weeks ago by highwaymen in San Antonio and that since that time he has suffered frequent lapses of memory. For periods of three or four days at a time, he said, he would be unable to recall even his name. He wrote to a friend in Lake Benton after coming to El Paso, telling him of his peculiar ailment. This friend notified the father, who immediately boarded a train for El Paso.

Detective Cunningham located young Tasker working for a carnival here. He probably will return with his father. He is a printer by trade and worked at Taylor, Texas, before going to San Antonio.

1915: Pope Will Ordain Bishop Of El Paso

June 20, 1915

REV. ANTHONY J. SCHULER WILL LEAVE SOON FOR ROME; WAS FORMERLY STATIONED HERE.

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Rev. Anthony J. Schuler, who has been named by Pope Benedict as the bishop of the newly organized Roman Catholic diocese of El Paso, will be ordained a bishop within the next two months and will take up his residence in El Paso in September. He will go directly to Rome from Denver, Colo., where he has been pastor of the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic church and after he is ordained by the pope will return directly to this city.

Father Schuler was formerly stationed in El Paso and was pastor of the Holy Family chapel, on North Oregon street. He came to El Paso about eight years ago, remaining until 1911, when he was transferred to Denver to take charge of the Sacred Heart church there.

The new bishop to El Paso is 45 years of age. He is a native of Pennsylvania, but has resided nearly all of his life in the state of Colorado. He is a graduate of St. Louis university, of St. Louis, Mo., and prepared for the Catholic priesthood at the Jesuit seminary in Woodstock, Md. He was ordained to the priesthood 15 years ago, and is a member of the Jesuit order.

The selection of Father Schuler as bishop of the El Paso diocese was made on the recommendation of the papal delegate to Washington. The names of two other priests were submitted to Rome, but it has not been announced who they were.

1952: Famed McGinty Club Most colorful Organization In history Of City

October 5, 1952

By CLEOFAS CALLEROS
(Editor’s Note: This is the seventh article on early El Paso history by Cleofas Calleros, El Paso historian)

“We didn’t allow women to come to our meetings or parties. The fact is we didn’t want them. We were strictly a men’s club – organized for fellowship and to entertain the people in town. And, sir, we had good times.”

Those are recollections of the famous old McGinty Club of El Paso as recalled by one of its secretaries and first members, James J. Watts. Watts, born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1870, came to El Paso in 1884 and, with his uncle, Sylvester, and brother William and Edward, operated the Watts Water Works.

He, like every other oldtimer, remembers with a great deal of pleasure that musical organization which flourished here between 1896 and 1900. It was a good club, he says, the official “Greeter Committee” for the city. Dignitaries, convention delegates, and just casual visitors received a flaring, musical welcome from it, that they didn’t soon forget. No one has forgotten the band concerts in Plaza Park every Sunday afternoon or the enjoyment they afforded.

There were about 200 members composing eight complete musical organizations in McGinty Club – The A Concert Band, Brass Band, Choir, Orchestra, Drum and Fife Corps, Typical Orchestra, Banjo, Troubadours, and Maennercohr. Each had its own director and manager.

The members were local businessmen, playing for their own pleasure, for self-improvement, and for the town’s benefit. Good music, the better things in life, meant much to them ... those early hardy pioneers, who could play the cithara or mandolin or violin as adeptly as they could build a city.

Their group was unique, paying no dues, receiving no salary, threatening no strikes, endorsing no political parties, recognizing no religious or social barriers within itself, and blissfully, wonderfully oblivious to the different nationalities and races of this number.

ONE INTEREST

There was Carl Pitzer, a German; Du Remer, a Frenchman, and a man name Soufle; also some Mexicans, some Irish, some Italians, some Chinese, Paso del Norte residents comprised a part of the Brass Band. These men were friends, very much disinterested in one another’s business and personal affairs, but wholeheartedly joined by one common bond – music.

If there was any pressing business of a financial nature the hat was passed. Each man donated whatever he could, or thought was worth it; nothing if he couldn’t. No one cared. How the money was utilized was immaterial to all concerned, since they knew, whatever the use, it was a good cause. Each member paid his own fee for trips out-of-town; the City Council financed public programs. There was complete harmony.

McGinty Club commanded El Paso’s respect and received it. The musicians were, for the most part, family men, and all were gentlemen of the old school. Whatever the performance or occasion, whatever the season, each man appeared in full, appropriate dress – a three-piece suit. His shirts were stiffly starched, with high linen or colloid collars and French cuffs and link. No one would have dared perform before the public without his tie, his favorite bow tie usually.

“We had fine parties,” Watts relates. “They were nearly always big picnics at Orn’s grove, or Hart’s Mill, or Woodlawn Park (Washington Park now). We all would bring our instruments and play by the hour. There were never less than 10 kegs of beer, but everyone know he was to watch himself. I never saw a man drunk at a McGinty Picnic.”

“Another fine thing about McGinty was that we held one another in high esteem. Now you find people who condescend to tolerate each other only because they belong to the same group. With us it was respect rather than tolerance.”

It was an appreciative audience for which the McGinty men played. El Pasoans were a sedate lot – not really a horde of offensive bruisers, painted women, notorious gamblers, and Billy-the-Kid fans. A somewhat refined gentry, really, regardless of what the fiction writers would lead you to believe. And they sported McGinty Club all the way.

CLUB DIED

It was unfortunately disbanded about 1905, dying an entirely natural death. There was no discord right up until the end, but only an increasing lack of interest and patrons as other diversions were offered. The following officers of McGinty Club, performed a real service for their city:

D.W. Rieckhart, who was the only president the club ever had; James J. Watts, secretary; E.H. Offley, choirmaster and leader of “all voice” groups; W.H. Watts, treasurer, who kept no books, but was the faithful keeper of funds; Charles Merrick, orator, who provided speakers for official welcomes; M. Hester, musical director who had charge of co-ordinating all musical activities with the club; Carl Piftzer, leader and director of the Concert Band.

F. Grandover, captain of the Light Guards and keeper of the two Cannons; Edg. Shelton, chairman of the musical committee, Edward Watts, commissary general, responsible for the “eats and drinks” at all functions; Al Lamour, chief pyrotechnical artist, who was in charge of all the illumination and brilliant spectacles held at Fort McGinty; G.E. Nemmaun, manger of Orchestra; F.W. Edlesten, head rain producer and weather prophet (if there was no rain, he always managed to have a fire hose); H. Ward, Librarian; Harry A. Moss, sketch artist. He was the clown of the club; he was clever in his drawings; Guy Orme, astronomer – his job was to provide good weather for all outings, and believe it or not, he was most successful.

Louis E. Behr historian. (The club did have a nice library and Louie kept an album. If anyone knows of its whereabouts the author would appreciate your kind advice.) James Longwell, drum major, Drum and Fife Corps. Jimmy was one of the tallest men in the club and his 36-inch high hat made him the most handsome in the group; R.C. Lightboy, general of the Plug Hat Brigade. He was in charge of the marching unit of the “white hats,” an auxiliary to the Light Brigade; P.S. Jenkins, general of the stiff Hat Brigade. This unit was made up of members who did not belong to a "military marching unit,” and wore dark silk hats.

MANY JOBS

A.C. Wheeler, surgeon – he had the easiest job, since no one was ever known to need medical attention at any function or initiation; The Rev. J. Milne, chaplain. Every member of the club was reverent in is religious practices; Chas. Layer, manager of the Typical Orchestra. This particular unit was the talk of the town for their delightful renditions and good taste; Charles Keifer and Z.T. Merrill, commanders of the Fambeau Club. This group was the “brains” and the boosters of planning the entertainment to be accorded visitors; Captain Jack Crawford, poet lariat – this position was unique, a sort of jester, not in the sense of clowning; William O’Brien, general of artillery. As the title implies, he managed to keep the cannons well supplied with ammunition.

Warner Gibb, manger of the Drum Corps – every detail and upkeep of the corps came within his province; he certainly kept them well dressed; Frank Tusten, manager of the Fife Corps. He tried to out-do Gibbs, but both kept abreast in all their activities; both were excellent managers and El Paso was proud of both corps; Dr. “Dad” Spencer, chief of Quarantine Department – he had a ticklish job to perform when the Club would venture to and from Juarez; O.F. Heckelmann, official scorer – in addition to his duties at games, he took care of the side bets; W.B. Merrick, drum major, Brass Band – he used to give Longwell lots of competition.

T.R. Teustis, chief listener to members’ troubles – he did nothing, since no one was ever known to have any troubles; J.D. Ponder, scribe – he was the reporter who furnished newspapers with current items (and he was a good one); Charles Reed, foreign diplomat – he took care of international relations and arranged for El Paso-Juarez activities; Will. R. Brown, manager of Brass Band – he was the best provider in the club (the only thing he didn’t give away was the Santa Fe depot). J. Allen, manager, Banjo Troubadours – this musical organization was the pride of every member; Charles Rokahr, manager of Maenercohr – this 20-man choir was in great demand at all festivities; William Edelsten, collector. He was what the name implies and always brought the dough.

1904: County Jail Inmates Have A Government Of Their Own

September 3, 1904

Unique and Interesting in the Conception and Execution of its Laws – The Superstitious No. 3 at the City Court – A Firewater Subject

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The inmates at the county jail have organized a little government of their own. They have elected a governor, judge, sheriff and full complement of minor official. Whenever a prisoner expectorates upon the floor, gets boisterous, commits any breach of decorum, or is proved guilty of telling fish stories so utterly extravagant as to be bad fiction, he is fined in sums ranging from $1 to $55. In the event that he cannot pay the fine – fines are payable in tobacco, he is assigned to duty in keeping the cells clean, washing the dishes, etc. There are several prisoners who act as attorneys, and it is said that some of them have developed remarkable forensic abilities.

Some people attach a superstition to the number 3. Whether there is any foundation for it or not, there are three persons who no doubt will remember it with some apprehension. William Smith, John W. Copphed and A. Proffit were arrested yesterday on charges of vagrancy. They were fined $3 each by Judge Eylar and given twenty –four hours in which to get out of town. They will leave.

Concepcion Soto bowled up on firewater yesterday morning and declared that he could lick any two-legged critter this side of the silvery Rio Grande. He started out to prove the sincerity of his declaration, but Officers Greet and Powers came along and stopped the show. Sequel - $5 and costs.

1941: EP Citizens Mobilized As War Comes

December 8, 1941

The outbreak of war with Japan Sunday saw military, government and civic organizations in El Paso prepared and “on the alert” to cope with any situation that might arise.

El Paso office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation was prepared for action but agents here had received no orders to arrest Japanese and pro-Jap suspects in El Paso area.

Dr. C. M. Hendricks, director general of the Southwestern Sun Carnival, said Sunday the annual Sun Carnival celebration and parade “will go ahead as scheduled New Year’s” despite the “present emergency.”

Military leaves were cancelled in several areas of the nation, but no such orders were received in Fort Bliss. The post, largest Cavalry post in the nation, has approximately 22,000 troups.

The U.S. Border Patrol and Immigration service were on the alert.

E.E. Adock, Border Patrol supervisor, said that his men were “tightening up their defenses” to prevent the departure of anyone not authorized by the state department to leave the country.

BORDER CLOSED TO JAPANESE NATIONALS

He said that he did not anticipate any addition to the Border Patrol force at the present but that there might be a shifting of personnel so as to concentrate strength in various spots.

Government officials here were preparing to uphold Treasury department orders issued Sunday to close the nation’s borders to Japanese nationals and to impose a strict ban on any financial transactions by Japanese aliens.

The department’s actions came to a brief order by Secretary Morgenthau revoking all outstanding general and specific licenses for any transactions by Japanese which may have been issued since Japanese and Chinese credits in this country were frozen by executive order on July 25.

AIR CORPS LEAVES CANCELLED IN NATION

Biggs Field officials said that orders canceling leaves and furloughs had not been received there yet but that they were expected by radio before Monday morning.

Air Corps leaves were being cancelled throughout the nation.

DEFENSE COUNCIL SWINGS INTO ACTION

Approximately 2500 members of El Paso Civilian defense Council swung into action Sunday as the organization, under leadership of Roy S. Nelson, prepared to handle local defense assignments.

Fire Chief W.E. Jackson headed 16 companies of volunteer El Paso fire fighters. Chief Jackson and Sheriff Bill Hawkins have divided El Paso into sections for fire fighting in case of emergency. Each volunteer squad handles one El Paso district.

Central Recruiting Office of El Paso Civilian defense Council is in the Chamber of Commerce building.

Divisions in the organization include fire and rescue, Red Cross, utility division, intelligence department and recruiting division.

MAYOR SAYS MEN NEEDED AS GUARDS

Mayor J.E. Anderson authorized the following statement Sunday night:

“The Chief of Police is receiving steady calls for reliable watchmen. Able-bodied American citizens of good health and character, who can furnish references, desiring such employment, may register with the Chief of Police, starting Monday, at 219 South Campbell Street. Men past the draft age are preferred.”

El Paso Electric company officials Sunday called up additional guard to protect the firm’s property in El Paso area from possible sabotage.

“We have had an organization of guards for some time for use in event of an emergency,” one company official said. “This guard has been increased and is on duty now.”

Guards will watch the company’s power plant in the Upper Valley, sub-stations and all power transmission lines.

Dr. G.M. Hendricks, chairman of El Paso chapter of American Red Cross, has issued a call to all workers and volunteers under the jurisdiction of the chapter territory which includes El Paso, Culbertson and Hudspeth Counties.

“In view of the impending state of war, I respectfully urge the following chairmen of committees to re-check and bring up to date a perfection of their organizations and to increase and intensity the training of each member of their organization,” Dr. Hendricks said.

Dr. T.J. McCamant, chairman and Tom Peterson, co-chairman of the Disaster Preparedness committee.

J. Warren Hoyte, director of Safety services.

Motor Corps personnel.

Mrs. Luis Zork, chairman of the canteen corps.

Mrs. Paul Gallagher, chairman of Home Nursing.

Mrs. Spencer Nye Cook, chairman of Production.

Mrs. Earl Hardage, chairman of Volunteer Special Services.

Chairman of Roll Call, J.Y. Wheeler is urged to direct his workers to complete the present Roll Call at once and keep this organization standing by for further request from National Headquarters.

JAPANESE BARRED FROM ALL AIRLINES

Airlines operating through El Paso – American Airlines and Continental Airlines – were instructed by chairman Robert H. Hinckley of the Civil Aeronautics Authority to take no Japanese nationals aboard.

The order went out Sunday afternoon to all American airlines, both domestic and those on foreign routes.

El Paso railroad men learned that a meeting will be held in Austin Wednesday to organize a voluntary force of train and engine service employes of Texas to serve anywhere. The announcement was made, by Joe Steadham, chairman of the Joint Railway Labor Board of Texas.

Railroad organizations here include Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and enginemen. Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen, Order of railway Conductors, and brotherhood of Locomotive engineers. Several hundred El Pasoans are members of the organization.

A spokesman for one of the groups said, “El Paso railroad men will co-operate in every way possible, as ill railroad men throughout the nation.”

Representatives of El Paso Brotherhoods will be summoned to the Austin meeting. It is sought to enlist the support of railroad men who are above draft age.

LAS CRUCES GUARD UNIT ORDERED TO DUTY

The Third Company, New Mexico State Guard, in Las Cruces, N.M., were ordered to duty Sunday night by Governor John Miles. The Company is commanded by Harlow Hyland.

Chief of Police Jack Robertson of Las Cruces aid Sunday night that precautionary steps were being taken by all peace officers in the area against any possible sabotage.

El Paso amateur radio operators learned that the Federal Communications Commission Sunday prohibited further operation of the stations in the United States, its territories and possessions. The order was reported by Associated Press.

El Paso newspapers were notified Sunday night by A.R. Gere, Federal Bureau of Investigation, that all press dispatches to Japan, Germany, Italy, France and Finland had been forbidden by the United States Government.

PRIVATE PLANES REPORTED GROUNDED

Jerome Martin, operator of El Paso Flying Services at Municipal Airport, received orders from the Civil Aeronautics Authority not to allow Japanese to leave the airport as passengers or as pilots.

El Paso pilots awaited orders, reported by the Associated Press in Washington, grounding all private airplanes in the Unite States and its possessions, except commercial airlines. The order was announced in Washington by the CAA.

“We have received no orders a s yet in connection with grounding private planes.” Mr. Martin said.

The Associated Press reported that the CAA suspended temporarily all pilot licenses except those held by pilots of regular air lines.

BOUNDARY COMMISSION PREPARED – LAWSON

The International Boundary commission is prepared to meet any emergency that may arise, L.M. Lawson, commissioner here, said.

“We have guards stationed up and down the border guarding government structures,” Mr. Lawson said, “and they have been on the alert for some time.”

Working with the boundary commission in protecting American property on the border is the federal Bureau of Investigation, Texas Highway Patrol, U.S. Customs and the U.S. Border Patrol.

Heavily-armed guards were keeping a 24-hour watch over Elephant Butte Dam in New Mexico and the vital Hydro-electric plant there.

Supt. L.R. Flock of the U.S. Reclamation Bureau here said that 12 guards were on duty at Elephant Butte and four men were watching the Caballo Dam.

All guards have been warned to maintain a strict watch over the big project.

No person will be allowed to stop at the dam or to loiter nearby, Mr. Flock said.

The precautionary measures taken at Elephant Butte were in line with a general “alert” sounded at power plants throughout the nation.

To guard against the possibility of air attack approximately 800 air raid warning posts manned by civilians, have been organized in Texas.

More than 12,000 persons were assigned to stations which are under jurisdiction of the Third interceptor Command of the U.S. Army Air Forces.

The governor’s defense committee is continuing to organize observation stations. Each of the state’s 254 counties had a council to coordinate organization of the posts which would report the flight of hostile aircraft.

SELECTIVE SERVICE ORDERS AWAITED

Orders increasing El Paso’s draft quota for the months to come are expected here soon, Joseph G. Bennis, chairman of the county selective service board, said Sunday.

He orders would be issued from Austin by Brig. Gen. J. Watt Page, state draft director, Mr. Bennis said.

Governor Coke R. Stevenson declared Sunday in Austin that the time had come for the United States to lay aside differences and unite, according to Associated Press, denounce the “cowardly” Japan attack on the United States.

1989: The Hedemans: When rodeo becomes a family affair

 

Jan 29, 1989

Bill Knight
El Paso Times

If there is a small Texas or New Mexico town with a rodeo arena, Clarice Hedeman has been there. Her husband, Red, has seen a few, too.

The El Pasoans have participated in a few rodeos, but their journey through every dot on Texas and New Mexico maps has been for their sons – Tuff and Roach.

Tuff and Roach are no longer kids. But they are sill rodeoing – Tuff as a 25-year-old bull rider, Roach as a 27-year-old clown and bullfighter. They do their traveling on their own these days.

Each has been successful enough to make a good living at what he does. And Tuff will be riding in the 60th annual Southwestern International Livestock Show & Rodeo at the Coliseum. In short, the two have made quite a name for themselves. And those are a pair of pretty unique names.

Well, actually, it’s not Tuff and Roach. It’s Richard Neale and Gary Eugene Hedeman.

Laughing, Clarice Hedeman said, “People are always asking me if those are their real names. Do I look like an idiot? Think I’d put that on their birth certificate?

The names, though, have been around almost as long as these two young rodeoing Hedemans.

Tuff got his nickname after a run-in with a pickup door. A neighbor slammed a door on the youngster’s hand. When the man went around to get in, he noticed the lad’s hand still in the door. “Does it hurt?” he asked. The boy nodded yes. “Are you gonna cry?” The boy nodded no. The nickname went from Tough Nut to Toughie to Tuff when entered Cathedral high school.

Gary became Roach when, at around age 3 or 4, he spent some time with a family friend. The man brought him home and said, “That boy gets into everything. He’s just like a … cockroach.” His nickname was shortened, too, when he entered Cathedral.

Choosing rodeo for a career is not a soft way of making a living for either Hedeman. But Mom and Dad don’t worry. They grew up around horses anyway.

***

Red Hedeman was born n Denver and lived all over Colorado.

“My real name’s Henry,” he said. “But I know people who’ve known me for 25 years who don’t know that. No big deal. People jut always called me Red.”

Red Hedeman has been around race tracks most of his life. He has trained horses, owned them, worked as a veterinarian’s assistant, helped a horse dentist. He’s been working at Sunland Park since 1959.

Clarice Hedeman was born on a ranch in northeast New Mexico, near Farley.

“My granddad was a rancher and my folks were ranchers,” she said. “I started running barrels when they first started doing that. I rode cutting horses, showed cattle a lot. I was a bookkeeper for a number of years. I worked t Sunland, La Mesa, and Raton race tracks.”

Seven children and 32 years later, the couple still enjoys horses, the track and rodeo.

***

Having a pair of sons in harm’s way is not exactly some people’s idea of a relaxing way of life. But worry?

“No, I don’t really worry,” Red said. “It sure beats a lot of things they could have been doing. Oh, you’re concerned, but I’ve never been really upset. You see ‘em get into a trap sometimes, but you’ve just kinda gotta hump it up and watch how they get out of it.”

Clarice said, “I don’t worry, either. Some fool down here’ll run over you while you’re getting the mail outta the mailbox. The thing I worry is they have to do so much driving – up into Canada, all over the country, and sometime you can get a little ding-y doing all that driving.

“But I just figure they know what they’re doing – in the rodeo and away from it. They were raised in it.”

And raising a pair of future career rodeo performers can put a lot of miles on Mom and Dad’s car.

“It was fun,” Red said. “Oh I missed a good bit of it, ‘cause I had to work on weekends.”

Clarice said, “I loved it. We’d take off on Friday night and come back on Sunday night. Sometimes we’d have to leave earlier. Other times we’d have to come back on Monday. And in the summers, goodness, we were all over the place. I put 27,000 miles on our car in three months one time.”

“It’s your kids and that’s what their thing was,” Clarice said.